Flood control valve and pump assembly

ABSTRACT

A pump assembly adapted to be installed as a complete assembly in a conventional or about four inch pipe riser as part of a system shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,725,112 of Nov. 29, 1955, with the pump assembly being so dimensioned that all its parts may be inserted in the upper end opening of a conventional riser of about four inch diameter.

6 United States Patent 1 1 3 DeLancey et al.- 1 1 July 17, 1973 1 1 FLOOD CONTROL VALVE AND PUMP 3,093,083 6/1963 Nielsen 417/38 ASSEMBLY 1,834,506 12/1931 Stukenborg 1 ..4l7/424 X 3,319,571 1/1967 Schaffer 417/38 [75] Inventors: Warren H. DeLancey, Elyria, Ohio;

Dona weisman, s thfi ld Mich FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Assignefil Flood Control valve p y, 850,944 9/1970 Canada 417/38 Detroit Mich' Primary Examiner-Car1ton R. Croyle [22] Filed: Mar- 10, 1972 Assistant Examiner-Richard Sher No: Attorney-Robert A. Sloman [52] [1.8. CI 417/38, 417/424, 417/360 [57] ABSTRACT 51] Im. Cl. F04b 49/02 A P assembly adapted to be Installed as a complete [58] Field of Search 417/360, 38, 239, assembly in a conventional or about four inch P riser 4 7 3 5 4 as part ofa system shown, for example, in US. Pat. No. 2,725,112 of Nov. 29, 1955, with the pump assembly 5 7 R f s Cited being so dimensioned that all its parts may be inserted UNn-ED STATES PATENTS in the upper end opening of a conventional riser of about four inch diameter. 2,914,081 11/1959 Bigharn 417/424 X 3,093,156 6/1963 Nielsen 417/424 X 1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENIEU JUL 1 1 ms SHEET 2 If 2 'FLOOD CONTROL VALVE AND PUMP ASSEMBLY GENERAL DISCUSSION By now the art is aware of a system such as is shown in Weisman US. Pat. No. 2,725,l 12. This patent shows a conventional four inch cleanout riser or other four inch pipe below a floor level and normally closed at the floor level by a threaded cap. Such system further includes a pump motor controlled by a float switch responding to a float in such riser. That patent also shows the pump as located well above the floor level to be operated by the pump motor in turn responding to the position of the float in the riser.

That patent also shows an externally threaded pipe closure and mounting means with a plurality of tubes passing through it and all mounted in the closure to form with it an assembly on whose lower end is an expansible and contractible annular blocking ring for the pipe, normally contracted and adapted to be expanded for blocking the pipe when two of the tubes are moved relatively longitudinally, as for example by a lever means shown in that U'.S. Pat. No. 2,725,112, or by coperating threaded means as shown in a related Weisman US. Pat. No. 2,588,188 of Mar. 4, 1952.

Also as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,725,112, one form of arrangement is to use a pump which is mounted above the floor level and which is connected through a valve and pipe to the riser.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to provide a different type of pump arrangement characterized by its being so dimensioned and so assembled that it can be lowered into the riser from above and be submerged, and occupy a portion of the riser below the closure ring for providing improved pump action, as well as a more convenient pump assembly.

Many other objects of thepresent invention will readily become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the appended drawings which show a preferred embodiment of the invention.

THE DRAWINGS In such drawings, FIG. 1 is an elevation diagrammatic section view of a pump assembly, to small scale, including a pump motor at the upper end and a pump and valve at the lower end of the assembly;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are larger scale views of parts of FIG.

FIG. 4 shows the pump sub-assembly. FIG. 5 shows a modification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. I shows more or less diagramatically, an assembly for use with a conventional or about four inch cleanout riser R or other four inch pipe below the level of a floor F and normally closed at the floor level by a cap, with riser R having a seepage inlet line I and a bend B, all as shown.

The assembly itself will now be described in detail. It includes a pump motor 26 controlled by a switch 28 in turn controlled by a weight 30 and an air pressure diaphragm type of actuator 32. It is understood that when air pressure builds up in an actuator inlet pipe 34, the diaphragm 32'causes the weight 30 to lift and close the switch for actuating the pump motor 26. Conversely on release of air pressure in actuator 32, weight 30 causes the switch to open and deactivate the pump motor 26.

The housing of the pump motor .26 has a collar 27 for supporting the housing on the upper end of a tube 52 later to be described; and the motor shaft 25 is coupled at 29 to the upper end of a driven tube 60, also later described.

The improved pump assembly is characterized by two major features. First, it is of such a form that it can be mounted on a closure means for closing the riser and dimensioned to be dropped downwardly into the riser and be actuated from above the riser. Secondly, it includes a closure ring, a variety of tubes, a pump unit, and other parts, all mounted on the closure means, all fitting within the riser, and all performing the necessary and desired functions.

These parts will now be described in detail. A threaded pipe closure 50 provides a mounting means for the pump assembly which includes a plurality of tubes passing through and all mounted in the closure 50, as shown, to form with such closure a complete assembly.

Two of such tubes, 52 and 54, mount and actuate an expandible and contractible annular closure ring 56 for closing the riser with such ring 56 being below the closure 50. Relative longitudinal movement of the tubes 52 and 54 as desired, and all as described for the corresponding parts 22 and 24 of the means shown in US.

Pat. No. 2,725,1 12, will cause the closure ring 56 to expand or contract as desired. Shown for this purpose are cooperatingthreads 55-57 of tubes 52-54, which when manipulated will move tubes 52-54 relatively longitudinally. 1

Another of the tubes 58 provides a sealed air communication between the. interior of the riser above the ring 56 and the inlet tube 34 for the switch actuator 32.

Another of the tubes 60 is coupled at its upper end to shaft 25 of the pump motor 26 and mounts on. its lower end a pump and, valve sub-assembly and. functions as a driver tube for the pump sub-assembly. A typical separable drive connection at 64 is provided for establishing a drive coupling between the lower end of the driver tube 60 and the pump sub-assembly.

THE PUMP SUB-ASSEMBLY The pump sub-assembly (FIG. 4) 63 is formed as a unit and has a driven shaft coupled to the lower end of the driver tube 60 by a separable coupling 64 of any desired form, in the riser, below the ring 56. The pump subassembly includes a rotary impeller 74, a diffuser 76, and a one-way plate type valve 78, having openings 79 and flaps A housing 82, having an open lower end 81, and a cover plate 83 enclose parts 70,74,76,78, etc.

In the form illustrated in this application, the driven shaft 70 is so formed that it projects at both ends well beyond parts 74,76,78 at both ends so that the pump sub-assembly 63 may be mounted! on the lower end of the driver tube 60 in either of the two positions. In the position shown, the plate valve 78 is below the impeller 74, and the pumping action will cause flaps 80 to open the valve 78 and to cause water in the riser to be pumped downwardly through the open lower end 81 of the housing 82 removably carried! by the tube 52.

Tubes 52-54 have numerous perforations 87-88 permitting seepage in the riser to flow down through valve openings 79, past flaps 80, and out through housing opening 81, even when the pump is not operating.

Air type control means 58-34-32 may be replaced by a float type control means, as shown in US. Pat. No. 2,725,112 at 53-54-55, if desired.

OPERATION With the pump sub-assembly 63 installed as shown, with its one-way plate valve 78 below the impeller 74, a build-up of water level in the riser will cause air pressure to build-up in tubes 58 and 34 and the pump motor 26 to become activated to cause pumping downward through the various tubes and openings and downward through the plate valve 78 and out through outlet 81, the pumping pressure causing flaps 80 of valve 78 to be opened forcibly.

Under normal conditions, with no build-up of water level in the riser, water in the riser will seep downwardly and out through the system seeping through the plate valve 78 which is open in that direction only and which closes against reverse flow.

There normally can be no upward flow in the riser, because of blocking ring 56, and because flaps 80 will close valve 78. However, if valve 78 leaks sewer water upwardly in the riser, the pump will be activated to pump the water in the riser downwardly, overcoming sewer pressure.

Whenever seepage water collects in the riser, to a stated level, the pump will be activated to pump such water down and out of the riser. This will be true even if the sewer has backed up, since the pump will overcome the sewer pressure.

Normally, the pump will be activated only if seepage water collects in the riser and, at the same time, the sewer has backed up to close valve 78.

The pump assembly, including closure 50, motor 26 at its upper end, and the pump sub-assembly 63 at its lower end, can be lowered into or removed from a four inch riser, when and as desired, and mounted on closure 50.

Bend B in riser R helps locate the assembly, by serving as a stop for the assembly as it is lowered into the riser.

FIG. 5

FIG. 5 shows a modification. Capillary air tube 58 has an air bag 110 on its lower end and passes through a stationary sleeve 112 which journals a rotatable coupler 114 threaded into nut 50. Tube 58 connectes at its upper end to tube 34 of actuator 32.

Rising water in the riser R pressures bag 110 to actuate the actuator 32 and the pump motor, assuring operation even in the absence of a build up of air pressure in riser R, responsive to a rise in water level in such riser.

The coupling provided by parts 1 12-114 enables vertical adjustment of the position of parts 58 and 110,

without requiring rotation of such parts. Part 112 need not be rotated to be shifted vertically.

The pump is of the submersible type, needing no priming, and ever ready for operation, and operating noiselessly.

Bag 110, of FIG. 5, seals the capillary tube 58, to seal the air therein, and responds to water in riser R. This prevents water from entering said tube.

It is known that if the switch is not activated often enough, there may be an absorbtion of air in water. If

this happens, water could possible fill the entire capillary tube, and when water rises in the riser, there would be no air pressure build up in the capillary tube to activate the diaphragm. Therefore, by using a completely sealed system, we have eliminated this problem, since there can be no absorbtion because water and air cannot mix together.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the tubes 54 and 58 as well as tube 52, FIG. 3 have an air-tight seal relation to cap 50. The seal between said cap and riser R is also air-tight whether the cap fits onto or is threaded into said riser. Thus, the entire assembly is air-tight.

Now having described the pump assembly herein disclosed, reference should be had to the following claims which follow for a determination of the scope of the present invention, it being understood that what has heretofore been described is merely illustrative and explanatory in abbreviated form of a pump assembly forming part of a system. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. A flood control assembly for use with a belowfloor sewer line, a conventional cleanout riser or other vertical pipe about four inches in nominal diameter, position below a floor level and normally closed at its upper end by a removable closure; said flood control assembly including a pump motor above the floor level; and a pump sub-unit in said pipe below said floor level;

said assembly being a complete assembly whose external diameter is less than the internal diameter of the pipe so that the entire assembly can be installed in said pipe through its open upper end, with said pump sub-unit at its lower end to be submerged in water in said pipe, and with the motor above said pipe,

said assembly including an assembly mounting and pipe closure means;

a plurality of tubes passing through said closure means and mounted in it to form with it said assemy;

and having parts above and parts below said closure;

two of said tubes mounting and actuating an expansible and contractible annular blocking ring for said pipe, positioned below the closure;

means on said assembly above the closure for manipulating these two tubes relatively for manipulating the blocking ring below the closure; with said tubes having openings enabling seepage above the ring to pass down through its center and enabling liquid below the ring to rise in said pipe above the ring;

means in said pipe responsive to water level therein well above the ring and operably connected through said closure to said motor for controlling another one of said tubes mounting said pump unit on its lower end below the ring and connected to the pump for carrying it and for driving it with a separable drive connection between the lower end of such driver tube and a driven shaft of said pump sub-unit; and a separable drive connection between the upper end of said driver tube and said motor;

with said pump sub-unit having said driven shaft and being mountable in said pipe, below said ring;

the improvement which comprises said pump being an encased unitary subassembly including a stationary body of cup-shape, adapted to be sealed to the hole in the blocking ring so that when the latter is expanded, seepage above the pump can enter the body only through the ring hole;

said pump unit further including a driven shaft mounted at its lower part by said body and having an upper part;

an impeller mounted on said upper part of the shaft above the body, with the upper end of the shaft, above the impeller, having an exposed and projecting upper end part to enable such upper end part to be separably coupled to the lower end of the mounting and driver tube for mounting the pump unit on and coupling it to the mounting tube;

the lower part of the body having ports for communicating the interior of the body and the interior of the pipe below the pump;

whereby seepage in the body can drain down out of the body by gravity, and liquid in the pipe below the pump could rise above the pump through said ports and into the pipe above the pump; and liquid in the pipe above the pump can be pumped down through said ring hole and ports and into the pipe below the pump;

and a one-way plate valve mounted on the bottom of the cup, under it, for normally exposing the ports, but formed to close said ports automatically if and when the liquid pressure in the pipe below the pump exceeds that in the pipe above the pump to prevent upward flow of liquid through said body, and formed to expose said ports otherwise so that when the pump operates, the valve will permit pumping of the liquid in the pipe above the body down through the ports and into the pipe below the body. 

1. A flood control assembly for use with a below-floor sewer line, a conventional cleanout riser or other vertical pipe about four inches in nominal diameter, position below a floor level and normally closed at its upper end by a removable closure; said flood control assembly including a pump motor above the floor level; and a pump sub-unit in said pipe below said floor level; said assembly being a complete assembly whose external diameter is less than the internal diameter of the pipe so that the entire assemBly can be installed in said pipe through its open upper end, with said pump sub-unit at its lower end to be submerged in water in said pipe, and with the motor above said pipe, said assembly including an assembly mounting and pipe closure means; a plurality of tubes passing through said closure means and mounted in it to form with it said assembly; and having parts above and parts below said closure; two of said tubes mounting and actuating an expansible and contractible annular blocking ring for said pipe, positioned below the closure; means on said assembly above the closure for manipulating these two tubes relatively for manipulating the blocking ring below the closure; with said tubes having openings enabling seepage above the ring to pass down through its center and enabling liquid below the ring to rise in said pipe above the ring; means in said pipe responsive to water level therein well above the ring and operably connected through said closure to said motor for controlling it; another one of said tubes mounting said pump unit on its lower end below the ring and connected to the pump for carrying it and for driving it with a separable drive connection between the lower end of such driver tube and a driven shaft of said pump sub-unit; and a separable drive connection between the upper end of said driver tube and said motor; with said pump sub-unit having said driven shaft and being mountable in said pipe, below said ring; the improvement which comprises said pump being an encased unitary subassembly including a stationary body of cup-shape, adapted to be sealed to the hole in the blocking ring so that when the latter is expanded, seepage above the pump can enter the body only through the ring hole; said pump unit further including a driven shaft mounted at its lower part by said body and having an upper part; an impeller mounted on said upper part of the shaft above the body, with the upper end of the shaft, above the impeller, having an exposed and projecting upper end part to enable such upper end part to be separably coupled to the lower end of the mounting and driver tube for mounting the pump unit on and coupling it to the mounting tube; the lower part of the body having ports for communicating the interior of the body and the interior of the pipe below the pump; whereby seepage in the body can drain down out of the body by gravity, and liquid in the pipe below the pump could rise above the pump through said ports and into the pipe above the pump; and liquid in the pipe above the pump can be pumped down through said ring hole and ports and into the pipe below the pump; and a one-way plate valve mounted on the bottom of the cup, under it, for normally exposing the ports, but formed to close said ports automatically if and when the liquid pressure in the pipe below the pump exceeds that in the pipe above the pump to prevent upward flow of liquid through said body, and formed to expose said ports otherwise so that when the pump operates, the valve will permit pumping of the liquid in the pipe above the body down through the ports and into the pipe below the body. 